Jackie Bradley Jr. On Down on the Farm: ‘Going to try to push the envelope’

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jackie Bradley Jr. did not enter his first big league spring training camp with any expectations of making the roster. His goal was simply to learn from players and coaches and to make a positive impression on the major league coaching staff and front office.

It would be an understatement to suggest that he’s lived up to that ambition. His performance has been so strong in every facet of the game, however, that he’s shown that his major league opportunity will come soon, perhaps as imminently as Opening Day in New York.

The development, Bradley explained in an interview on “Down on the Farm,” is exhilarating. And Bradley would like nothing more than to keep making an argument for his big league-readiness.

“Everything’s taken, I guess, a turn, but that’s a good thing, when you’re a young player who I guess is able to push the envelope, and not only that, but to perform, make a good impression, perform at a high level and show he’s learning every day,” said Bradley. “I am learning everyday. I’m trying to learn as fast as I can because they have so much knowledge that they’re throwing at us daily, and I’m trying to take it all in. I think I’ve soaked it all in as much as I could, not only from the coaches but the players.

“I’m constantly working, and if I was completely there,” he noted, gesturing to the set of lockers where the established big leaguers reside in the Sox clubhouse, “I probably wouldn’t be here,” he said, taking stock of his presence in the far corner of the room.

“I’m going to continue to work hard to get to where I want to be, and that’s in the major leagues. Hopefully I am close. I’m going to keep working, try to push the envelope and see how things go,” he continued. “It is moving quickly, and that’s a good thing. Once you get to professional ball, you think, What path do I want to take? Do I want to move fast, or do I want to stay right there and move up one by one? I always wanted to learn as fast as I can, obviously, and keep progressing, keep getting better every single day. … I know where I want to be, and I know I want to be in this game for a long time, so I’ve got to continue to work.”